Blogs

On today’s edition of The Afternoon Show, Gavin Grace was joined in studio by John Quinlivan, facilitator with Clare Connect and formerly of Shannon Development, Journalist with The Clare People, Claire Gallagher and Sarah Ferrigan of the Clare Women’s Network. The panel discussed the election of Pope Francis and what it means for the Church? St. Patrick’s Day and as countries across the globe prepare to share our celebrations of Ireland’s patron Saint – we asked if it’s a day to reaffirm our Irishness or has it just become a day in the pub?

There was no winner of yesterday’s prize which means today’s prize is 400euro

It is week3 and we are playing off the Yellow page of your book – and the very best of luck – here are today’s numbers

76 43 16 54 85 14 36 35 29 73

If you have managed to fill a panel with those numbers, call 065 6828966 before 8pm tonight and you could win or share in today’s prize. If you are a winner, please keep your book until we verify the details.

On today’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined by Tubber jockey Derek O’Connor. Derek just missed out on Cheltenham success in a photo finish in the 4.40 Kim Muir yesterday - losing out to Same Difference.

On today’s edition of The Afternoon Show Buenos Aires based freelance Journalist Ed Stocker spoke to Clare FM’s Gavin Grace about the new pontiff – Pope Francis. Pope Francis opened the first day of a papacy looking to bring the Catholic Church closer to ordinary people by saying prayers at a basilica. The Vatican said Francis's inauguration mass will take place next Tuesday -- a significant date in the Catholic calendar because it is the Feast of St Joseph, patron saint of the universal Church. The new pope officially leads the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.

There were two winners of yesterday’s prize which means today’s prize is 200euro. Congratulations to Jimmy Danaher from Lisdoonvarna who purchased his book in Jordans mace and Mary Anne Scales from Mullagh who purchased her book in Miltown malbay post office Each win 100 Euro

It is week 3 and we are playing off the pink page of your book – and the very best of luck – here are today’s numbers

On today’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent with The Irish Times, in Rome, as the Catholic world woke up this morning to a new leader. 76-year-old Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was last night elected by the Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel. The Cardinal of Buenos Aires in Argentina Jorge Bergoglio will now be known as Pope Francis the first. The new Pope will become the first non-European to lead the Catholic Church in more than 1,000 years.

There were three winners of yesterdays draw which means todays prize is 200 Euro congratulations to Martin Conlon from sixmilebridge who purchased his book in Texaco Shannon , Anne rigney Inagh who purchased her book in keatings Inagh and Patricia Nestor from Kilfenora who purchased her book in O Gormans Kilfenora Each win 66 Euro

It is week3 and we are playing off the BLUE page of your book – the very best of luck – here are today’s numbers

Joining Gavin Grace on today’s edition of The Afternoon Show was Political Correspondent with the Sunday Independent John Drennan. They discussed how the Roscommon and South Leitrim TD Luke Ming Flanagan says he doesn't believe his quashing of penalty points is a resigning matter. In the Dáil last night, Deputy Flanagan described two instances where penalties issued to him for driving while using a mobile phone were struck off by Gardaí.

On today’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined by local councillors ahead of their travels to the USA for St. Patrick’s Day. Ennis Green Party Councillor Brian Meaney and Mayor of Kilrush and Independent Councillor Mairead O’Brien discussed their plans and who they hope to meet while in the states. They spoke of the importance of promoting Co. Clare to potential tourists and business interests. The Mayor of Clare meanwhile, says he feels money spent on sending local representatives and Council officials to the US for St. Patrick's Day is well spent.

Speaking to Gavin Grace on The Afternoon Show today was Jerry Murphy, a Counsellor at Bushypark Treatment Centre in Ennis. As Cheltenham begins today – they discussed gambling and how sometimes a flutter can grow into a problem for a minority of people. Problem gambling can strain your relationships; interfere with responsibilities at home and work, and lead to financial catastrophe. You may even do things you never thought you would, like stealing to get money to gamble or take money meant for your children.